Apparatus and method for managing digital television operations

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to monitor spectral characteristics of a target channel, a first channel and a second channel, where the target channel is of a digital terrestrial television system, where the first channel is an upper adjacent channel to the target channel, and where the second channel is a lower adjacent channel to the target channel. The controller is adapted to generate an emission mask based on the monitored spectral characteristics and detect interference between the target channel and at least one of the first and second channels based at least in part on the emission mask. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to network communications andmore specifically to an apparatus and method for managing digitaltelevision operations.

BACKGROUND

Digital terrestrial television systems transmit channel signals on radiofrequencies (RF) through the airwaves. The RF spectrum is finite,resulting in a limited allocation of RF channels for transmission ofsignals. The Federal Communications Commission has set emissionstandards for use of the public airways and in particular the allocatedRF channels. Emission of signals outside of an allocated RF channel canresult in interference between channels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withat least one among the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 8 depicts transmitter emission limits for a target channel usingthe method of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure entails computer-readablestorage medium, having computer instructions for monitoring a channelpower of a target channel of a digital terrestrial television system,monitoring band edge emissions for first and second channels where thefirst channel is an upper adjacent channel to the target channel andwhere the second channel is a lower adjacent channel to the targetchannel, measuring a delta between the channel power and the band edgeemissions, detecting interference between the target channel and atleast one of the first and second channels based at least in part on thedelta, and presenting an alarm based on the detected interference.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a server having acontroller to perform a single sweep measurement for spectralcharacteristics of a target channel, a first channel and a secondchannel where the target channel is of a digital terrestrial televisionsystem where the first channel is an upper adjacent channel to thetarget channel and where the second channel is a lower adjacent channelto the target channel, and detect interference between the targetchannel and at least one of the first and second channels based at leastin part on the spectral characteristics.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a server havinga controller to monitor spectral characteristics of a target channel, afirst channel and a second channel where the target channel is of adigital terrestrial television system where the first channel is anupper adjacent channel to the target channel and where the secondchannel is a lower adjacent channel to the target channel, generate anemission mask based on the monitored spectral characteristics, anddetect interference between the target channel and at least one of thefirst and second channels based at least in part on the emission mask.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a set top boxhaving a controller to receive a target channel from a digitalterrestrial television system, where interference is detected betweenthe target channel and at least one of an upper adjacent channel and alower adjacent channel, where the detected interference is based onmonitored spectral characteristics of the target channel, the upperadjacent channel and the lower adjacent channel, and where the monitoredspectral characteristics are acquired using a single sweep measurement.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a methodincluding monitoring spectral characteristics of a target channel, afirst channel and a second channel where the first channel is an upperadjacent channel to the target channel and where the second channel is alower adjacent channel to the target channel, generating an emissionmask based on the monitored spectral characteristics, and detectinginterference between the target channel and at least one of the firstand second channels based at least in part on the emission mask.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. In a typical IPTV infrastructure, there is a super head-endoffice (SHO) with at least one super headend office server (SHS) whichreceives national media programs from satellite and/or media serversfrom service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. In the presentcontext, media programs can represent audio content, moving imagecontent such as videos, still image content, and/or combinationsthereof. The SHS server forwards IP packets associated with the mediacontent to video head-end servers (VHS) via a network of aggregationpoints such as video head-end offices (VHO) according to a commonmulticast communication method.

The VHS then distributes multimedia broadcast programs via a local areanetwork (LAN) to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (e.g., a residential gateway or RG). The LAN can represent abank of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located ina central office or a service area interface that provide broadbandservices over optical links or copper twisted pairs to buildings 102.The gateway 104 distributes broadcast signals to media processors 106such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn present broadcast selectionsto media devices 108 such as computers or television sets managed insome instances by a media controller 107 (e.g., an infrared or RF remotecontrol). Unicast traffic can also be exchanged between the mediaprocessors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system for services suchas video-on-demand (VoD). It will be appreciated by one of ordinaryskill in the art that the media devices 108 and/or portablecommunication devices 116 shown in FIG. 1 can be an integral part of themedia processor 106 and can be communicatively coupled to the gateway104. In this particular embodiment, an integral device such as describedcan receive, respond, process and present multicast or unicast mediacontent.

The IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices130 a portion of which can operate as a web server for providing portalservices over an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 132 to fixedline media devices 108 or portable communication devices 116 by way of awireless access point 117 providing Wireless Fidelity or WiFi services,or cellular communication services (e.g., GSM, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, etc.).In one embodiment, computing devices 130 can comprise one or moreemission monitoring devices for performing spectrum analysis of thechannels being broadcast by the IPTV system.

A satellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115can be intercepted by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to building102 which conveys media signals to the media processors 106. The mediareceivers 106 can be equipped with a broadband port to the ISP network132. Although not shown, the communication system 100 can also becombined or replaced with analog or digital broadcast distributionssystems such as cable TV systems.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a second communicationsystem 200 for delivering media content. Communication system 200 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication system 100 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of said communication system. The system 200includes a distribution switch/router system 228 at a central office218. The distribution switch/router system 228 receives video data via amulticast television stream 230 from a second distribution switch/router234 at an intermediate office 220. The multicast television stream 230includes Internet Protocol (IP) data packets addressed to a multicast IPaddress associated with a television channel. The distributionswitch/router system 228 can cache data associated with each televisionchannel received from the intermediate office 220.

The distribution switch/router system 228 also receives unicast datatraffic from the intermediate office 220 via a unicast traffic stream232. The unicast traffic stream 232 includes data packets related todevices located at a particular residence, such as the residence 202.For example, the unicast traffic stream 232 can include data trafficrelated to a digital subscriber line, a telephone line, another dataconnection, or any combination thereof. To illustrate, the unicasttraffic stream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a telephone212 associated with a subscriber at the residence 202. The telephone 212can be a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. To furtherillustrate, the unicast traffic stream 232 can communicate data packetsto and from a personal computer 210 at the residence 202 via one or moredata routers 208. In an additional illustration, the unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a set-top boxdevice, such as the set-top box devices 204, 206. The unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from the devices locatedat the residence 202 via one or more residential gateways 214 associatedwith the residence 202.

The distribution switch/router system 228 can send data to one or moreaccess switch/router systems 226. The access switch/router system 226can include or be included within a service area interface 216. In aparticular embodiment, the access switch/router system 226 can include aDSLAM. The access switch/router system 226 can receive data from thedistribution switch/router system 228 via a broadcast television (BTV)stream 222 and a plurality of unicast subscriber traffic streams 224.The BTV stream 222 can be used to communicate video data packetsassociated with a multicast stream.

For example, the BTV stream 222 can include a multicast virtual localarea network (VLAN) connection between the distribution switch/routersystem 228 and the access switch/router system 226. Each of theplurality of subscriber traffic streams 224 can be used to communicatesubscriber specific data packets. For example, the first subscribertraffic stream can communicate data related to a first subscriber, andthe nth subscriber traffic stream can communicate data related to an nthsubscriber. Each subscriber to the system 200 can be associated with arespective subscriber traffic stream 224. The subscriber traffic stream224 can include a subscriber VLAN connection between the distributionswitch/router system 228 and the access switch/router system 226 that isassociated with a particular set-top box device 204, 206, a particularresidence 202, a particular residential gateway 214, another deviceassociated with a subscriber, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, a set-top box device, such as the set-topbox device 204, receives a channel change command from an input device,such as a remoter control device. The channel change command canindicate selection of an IPTV channel. After receiving the channelchange command, the set-top box device 204 generates channel selectiondata that indicates the selection of the IPTV channel. The set-top boxdevice 204 can send the channel selection data to the accessswitch/router system 226 via the residential gateway 214. The channelselection data can include an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)Join request. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/routersystem 226 can identify whether it is joined to a multicast groupassociated with the requested channel based on information in the IGMPJoin request.

If the access switch/router system 226 is not joined to the multicastgroup associated with the requested channel, the access switch/routersystem 226 can generate a multicast stream request. The multicast streamrequest can be generated by modifying the received channel selectiondata. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/router system 226can modify an IGMP Join request to produce a proxy IGMP Join request.The access switch/router system 226 can send the multicast streamrequest to the distribution switch/router system 228 via the BTV stream222. In response to receiving the multicast stream request, thedistribution switch/router system 228 can send a stream associated withthe requested channel to the access switch/router system 226 via the BTVstream 222.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a third communicationsystem 300 for delivering media content. Communication system 300 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication systems 100-200 asanother representative embodiment of said communication systems. Asshown, the system 300 can include a client facing tier 302, anapplication tier 304, an acquisition tier 306, and an operations andmanagement tier 308. Each tier 302, 304, 306, 308 is coupled to aprivate network 310, such as a network of common packet-switched routersand/or switches; to a public network 312, such as the Internet; or toboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. For example,the client-facing tier 302 can be coupled to the private network 310.Further, the application tier 304 can be coupled to the private network310 and to the public network 312. The acquisition tier 306 can also becoupled to the private network 310 and to the public network 312.Additionally, the operations and management tier 308 can be coupled tothe public network 312.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the various tiers 302, 304, 306, 308communicate with each other via the private network 310 and the publicnetwork 312. For instance, the client-facing tier 302 can communicatewith the application tier 304 and the acquisition tier 306 via theprivate network 310. The application tier 304 can communicate with theacquisition tier 306 via the private network 310. Further, theapplication tier 304 can communicate with the acquisition tier 306 andthe operations and management tier 308 via the public network 312.Moreover, the acquisition tier 306 can communicate with the operationsand management tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, elements of the application tier 304, including, but notlimited to, a client gateway 350, can communicate directly with theclient-facing tier 302.

The client-facing tier 302 can communicate with user equipment via anaccess network 366, such as an IPTV access network. In an illustrativeembodiment, customer premises equipment (CPE) 314, 322 can be coupled toa local switch, router, or other device of the access network 366. Theclient-facing tier 302 can communicate with a first representativeset-top box device 316 via the first CPE 314 and with a secondrepresentative set-top box device 324 via the second CPE 322. In aparticular embodiment, the first representative set-top box device 316and the first CPE 314 can be located at a first customer premise, andthe second representative set-top box device 324 and the second CPE 322can be located at a second customer premise.

In another particular embodiment, the first representative set-top boxdevice 316 and the second representative set-top box device 324 can belocated at a single customer premise, both coupled to one of the CPE314, 322. The CPE 314, 322 can include routers, local area networkdevices, modems, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, any othersuitable devices for facilitating communication between a set-top boxdevice and the access network 366, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can be coupledto the CPE 314, 322 via fiber optic cables. In another illustrativeembodiment, the CPE 314, 322 can include DSL modems that are coupled toone or more network nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier302 can be coupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. Eachset-top box device 316, 324 can process data received via the accessnetwork 366, via a common IPTV software platform.

The first set-top box device 316 can be coupled to a first externaldisplay device, such as a first television monitor 318, and the secondset-top box device 324 can be coupled to a second external displaydevice, such as a second television monitor 326. Moreover, the firstset-top box device 316 can communicate with a first remote control 320,and the second set-top box device 324 can communicate with a secondremote control 328. The set-top box devices 316, 324 can include IPTVset-top box devices; video gaming devices or consoles that are adaptedto receive IPTV content; personal computers or other computing devicesthat are adapted to emulate set-top box device functionalities; anyother device adapted to receive IPTV content and transmit data to anIPTV system via an access network; or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, each set-top box device316, 324 can receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from theclient-facing tier 302 via the access network 366 and render or displaythe data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device 318,326 to which it is coupled. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-topbox devices 316, 324 can include tuners that receive and decodetelevision programming signals or packet streams for transmission to thedisplay devices 318, 326. Further, the set-top box devices 316, 324 caneach include a STB processor 370 and a STB memory device 372 that isaccessible to the STB processor 370. In one embodiment, a computerprogram, such as the STB computer program 374, can be embedded withinthe STB memory device 372.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 330 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 302 and the access network 366 and between theclient-facing tier 302 and the private network 310. As illustrated, theCFT switch 330 is coupled to one or more distribution servers, such asDistribution-servers (D-servers) 332, that store, format, encode,replicate, or otherwise manipulate or prepare video content forcommunication from the client-facing tier 302 to the set-top box devices316, 324. The CFT switch 330 can also be coupled to a terminal server334 that provides terminal devices with a point of connection to theIPTV system 300 via the client-facing tier 302.

In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330 can be coupled to a VoDserver 336 that stores or provides VoD content imported by the IPTVsystem 300. Further, the CFT switch 330 is coupled to one or more videoservers 380 that receive video content and transmit the content to theset-top boxes 316, 324 via the access network 366. The client-facingtier 302 may include a CPE management server 382 that managescommunications to and from the CPE 314 and the CPE 322. For example, theCPE management server 382 may collect performance data associated withthe set-top box devices 316, 324 from the CPE 314 or the CPE 322 andforward the collected performance data to a server associated with theoperations and management tier 308.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 cancommunicate with a large number of set-top boxes, such as therepresentative set-top boxes 316, 324, over a wide geographic area, suchas a metropolitan area, a viewing area, a statewide area, a regionalarea, a nationwide area or any other suitable geographic area, marketarea, or subscriber or customer group that can be supported bynetworking the client-facing tier 302 to numerous set-top box devices.In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330, or any portion thereof,can include a multicast router or switch that communicates with multipleset-top box devices via a multicast-enabled network.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the application tier 304 can communicate withboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. The applicationtier 304 can include a first application tier (APP) switch 338 and asecond APP switch 340. In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch338 can be coupled to the second APP switch 340. The first APP switch338 can be coupled to an application server 342 and to an OSS/BSSgateway 344. In a particular embodiment, the application server 342 canprovide applications to the set-top box devices 316, 324 via the accessnetwork 366, which enable the set-top box devices 316, 324 to providefunctions, such as interactive program guides, video gaming, display,messaging, processing of VoD material and other IPTV content, etc. In anillustrative embodiment, the application server 342 can provide locationinformation to the set-top box devices 316, 324. In a particularembodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 includes operation systems andsupport (OSS) data, as well as billing systems and support (BSS) data.In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can provide or restrictaccess to an OSS/BSS server 364 that stores operations and billingsystems data.

The second APP switch 340 can be coupled to a domain controller 346 thatprovides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers 368via the public network 312. For example, the domain controller 346 canprovide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail,personalized Internet services, or other online services via the publicnetwork 312. In addition, the second APP switch 340 can be coupled to asubscriber and system store 348 that includes account information, suchas account information that is associated with users who access the IPTVsystem 300 via the private network 310 or the public network 312. In anillustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store 348 can storesubscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profilesthat are associated with IP addresses, stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers,other identifiers, or any combination thereof, of corresponding set-topbox devices 316, 324. In another illustrative embodiment, the subscriberand system store can store data associated with capabilities of set-topbox devices associated with particular customers.

In a particular embodiment, the application tier 304 can include aclient gateway 350 that communicates data directly to the client-facingtier 302. In this embodiment, the client gateway 350 can be coupleddirectly to the CFT switch 330. The client gateway 350 can provide useraccess to the private network 310 and the tiers coupled thereto. In anillustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices 316, 324 can access theIPTV system 300 via the access network 366, using information receivedfrom the client gateway 350. User devices can access the client gateway350 via the access network 366, and the client gateway 350 can allowsuch devices to access the private network 310 once the devices areauthenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway 350 can preventunauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top boxdevices from accessing the private network 310, by denying access tothese devices beyond the access network 366.

For example, when the first representative set-top box device 316accesses the client-facing tier 302 via the access network 366, theclient gateway 350 can verify subscriber information by communicatingwith the subscriber and system store 348 via the private network 310.Further, the client gateway 350 can verify billing information andstatus by communicating with the OSS/BSS gateway 344 via the privatenetwork 310. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can transmit aquery via the public network 312 to the OSS/BSS server 364. After theclient gateway 350 confirms subscriber and/or billing information, theclient gateway 350 can allow the set-top box device 316 to access IPTVcontent and VoD content at the client-facing tier 302. If the clientgateway 350 cannot verify subscriber information for the set-top boxdevice 316, e.g., because it is connected to an unauthorized twistedpair, the client gateway 350 can block transmissions to and from theset-top box device 316 beyond the access network 366.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the acquisition tier 306 includes an acquisitiontier (AQT) switch 352 that communicates with the private network 310.The AQT switch 352 can also communicate with the operations andmanagement tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to one or more liveAcquisition-servers (A-servers) 354 that receive or acquire televisioncontent, movie content, advertisement content, other video content, orany combination thereof, from a broadcast service 356, such as asatellite acquisition system or satellite head-end office. In aparticular embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 can transmitcontent to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352 can transmit thecontent to the CFT switch 330 via the private network 310.

In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to theD-servers 332, where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated,or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the videoserver(s) 380 to the set-top box devices 316, 324. The CFT switch 330can receive content from the video server(s) 380 and communicate thecontent to the CPE 314, 322 via the access network 366. The set-top boxdevices 316, 324 can receive the content via the CPE 314, 322, and cantransmit the content to the television monitors 318, 326. In anillustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can bestreamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

Further, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 358 that receives and stores television or movie content receivedat the acquisition tier 306 and communicates the stored content to theVoD server 336 at the client-facing tier 302 via the private network310. Additionally, at the acquisition tier 306, the VoD importer server358 can receive content from one or more VoD sources outside the IPTVsystem 300, such as movie studios and programmers of non-live content.The VoD importer server 358 can transmit the VoD content to the AQTswitch 352, and the AQT switch 352, in turn, can communicate thematerial to the CFT switch 330 via the private network 310. The VoDcontent can be stored at one or more servers, such as the VoD server336.

When users issue requests for VoD content via the set-top box devices316, 324, the requests can be transmitted over the access network 366 tothe VoD server 336, via the CFT switch 330. Upon receiving suchrequests, the VoD server 336 can retrieve the requested VoD content andtransmit the content to the set-top box devices 316, 324 across theaccess network 366, via the CFT switch 330. The set-top box devices 316,324 can transmit the VoD content to the television monitors 318, 326. Inan illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VoD content canbe streamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

FIG. 3 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 308can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 360 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 308and the public network 312. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3, theOMT switch 360 is coupled to a TV2 server 362. Additionally, the OMTswitch 360 can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 364 and to a simplenetwork management protocol monitor 386 that monitors network deviceswithin or coupled to the IPTV system 300. In a particular embodiment,the OMT switch 360 can communicate with the AQT switch 352 via thepublic network 312.

The OSS/BSS server 364 may include a cluster of servers, such as one ormore CPE data collection servers that are adapted to request and storeoperations systems data, such as performance data from the set-top boxdevices 316, 324. In an illustrative embodiment, the CPE data collectionservers may be adapted to analyze performance data to identify acondition of a physical component of a network path associated with aset-top box device, to predict a condition of a physical component of anetwork path associated with a set-top box device, or any combinationthereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 cantransmit content to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352, in turn,can transmit the content to the OMT switch 360 via the public network312. In this embodiment, the OMT switch 360 can transmit the content tothe TV2 server 362 for display to users accessing the user interface atthe TV2 server 362. For example, a user can access the TV2 server 362using a personal computer 368 coupled to the public network 312.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from theforegoing media communication system embodiments that other suitablemedia communication systems for distributing broadcast media content aswell as peer-to-peer exchange of content can be applied to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 400employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture.Communication system 400 can be overlaid or operably coupled withcommunication systems 100-300 as another representative embodiment ofsaid communication systems.

The communication system 400 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)440, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 430, and network elementsof an IMS network 450. The IMS network 450 can be coupled to IMScompliant communication devices (CD) 401, 402 or a Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN) CD 403 using a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 420 that connects the call through a common PSTN network 460.

IMS CDs 401, 402 register with the IMS network 450 by contacting a ProxyCall Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with anAuthentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) supported by the HSS440. To accomplish a communication session between CDs, an originatingIMS CD 401 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) messageto an originating P-CSCF 404 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 406. The originating S-CSCF 406 can submit the SIPINVITE message to an application server (AS) such as reference 410 thatcan provide a variety of services to IMS subscribers. For example, theapplication server 410 can be used to perform originating treatmentfunctions on the calling party number received by the originating S-CSCF406 in the SIP INVITE message.

Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, and/or isrequesting special telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on).Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 406 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 430 to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP UniformResource Identifier (URI) if the targeted communication device is IMScompliant. If the targeted communication device is a PSTN device, theENUM system 430 will respond with an unsuccessful address resolution andthe S-CSCF 406 will forward the call to the MGCF 420 via a BreakoutGateway Control Function (BGCF) 419.

When the ENUM server 430 returns a SIP URI, the SIP URI is used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 407 to submit a query to the HSS 440 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 414 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 402. Once identified, the I-CSCF 407 can submit theSIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 414 which can call on anapplication server 411 similar to reference 410 to perform theoriginating treatment telephony functions described earlier. Theterminating S-CSCF 414 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 416associated with the terminating CD 402. The P-CSCF 416 then signals theCD 402 to establish communications. The aforementioned process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 4 can be interchanged.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 530. The portal530 can be used for managing services of communication systems 100-400.The portal 530 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) witha common Internet browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer using anInternet-capable communication device such as references 108, 116, or210 of FIGS. 1-2. The portal 530 can be configured to access a mediaprocessor such as references 106, 204, 206, 316, and 324 of FIGS. 1-3and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), anElectronic Programming Guide (EPG), VoD catalog, a personal catalogstored in the STB (e.g., personal videos, pictures, audio recordings,etc.), and so on.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 600.Communication device 600 can be a representative portion of any of theaforementioned communication devices of FIGS. 1-4. The communicationdevice 604 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 602(herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, a power supply 614,and a controller 606 for managing operations thereof. The transceiver602 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologiessuch as a Bluetooth wireless access protocol, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)access protocol, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT)wireless access protocol, cellular, software defined radio (SDR) and/orWiMAX technologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,and next generation technologies as they arise.

The transceiver 602 can also support common wireline access technologiessuch as circuit-switched wireline access technologies, packet-switchedwireline access technologies, or combinations thereof. PSTN canrepresent one of the common circuit-switched wireline accesstechnologies. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and IP datacommunications can represent some of the commonly availablepacket-switched wireline access technologies. The transceiver 602 canalso be adapted to support IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) protocol forinterfacing to an IMS network that can combine PSTN and VoIPcommunication technologies.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 and anavigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, and/or navigationdisk for manipulating operations of the communication device 600. The UI604 can further include a display 610 such as monochrome or color LCD(Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or othersuitable display technology for conveying images to the end user of thecommunication device 600. In an embodiment where the display 610 istouch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 608 can be presented byway of the display. The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 thatutilizes common audio technology for conveying low volume audio (e.g.,audio heard only in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio(e.g., speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 612 canfurther include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an enduser.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 600 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The controller 606 can utilizecomputing technologies such as a microprocessor and/or digital signalprocessor (DSP) with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM,SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary method 700 operating in portions of one ormore of the communication systems 100-400. Method 700 has variants asdepicted by the dashed lines. It would be apparent to an artisan withordinary skill in the art that other embodiments not depicted in FIG. 7are possible without departing from the scope of the claims describedbelow.

Method 700 can begin with step 702 where emission monitor 130 canperform a spectrum analysis of a target channel of a digital terrestrialtelevision system, such as an IPTV system, and a spectrum analysis ofthe adjacent channels thereto. In one embodiment, the monitor 130 canutilize remote testing tools and components in communication withvarious network elements, including components of the VHO. For example,the monitor 130 can be centrally located at a Video Operation Center andcan utilize the remote spectral analysis techniques to collect thespectral information for a target channel and its adjacent channels. Thespectral characteristics of the target channel's signal can be measured,such as by using a single sweep measurement, although other spectralmeasurement techniques are also contemplated. The measuredcharacteristics of the signal can include the noise amplitude, peaksignal amplitude and/or frequency.

In one embodiment in step 704, the rise and/or fall times of thechannels adjacent to the target channel can be monitored so that thesingle sweep measurement can be performed during those time periods. Thepresent disclosure also contemplates performing the spectralmeasurements at other times, including based on a pre-defined scheduleand/or according to a dynamic schedule that is adjusted based on anumber of factors including time periods associated with a history ofinterference for the target channel.

In step 706, the emission monitor 130 can determine the emission maskbased at least in part on the measured characteristics. In oneembodiment, the emission mask is determined based on a measured delta ofthe band edge emission of the adjacent channels and the channel power ofthe target channel as shown more clearly in the transmitter emissionlimits diagram of FIG. 8. The limits of the emission mask depicted inFIG. 8 are for a 8-level Vestigial Sideband modulation (8VSB) signal.However, the present disclosure contemplates applying method 700 forvarious modulation techniques used in digital television systems,including modulation based on Coded Orthogonal Frequency-DivisionMultiplexing (COFDM); Enhanced Vestigial Sideband (E-VSB); AdvancedVestigial Sideband (A-VSB); and/or Mobile-Pedestrian-Handheld.

In step 708, the emission monitor 130 can determine if an emission maskviolation exists (e.g., the target or adjacent channel spectralcharacteristics falling outside of the limits set forth in FIG. 8). Ifsuch a violation does not exist then method 700 can return to step 702to perform the spectrum analysis of another target channel of thedigital television system and/or of the same target channel (e.g.,according to a schedule spectral sweep). If on the other hand, anemission mask violation has been detected then in step 710, the emissionmonitor 130 can present an interference alarm. The video operationcenter can then take appropriate action based on the detectedinterference and resulting alarm, such as administration notification,signal adjustment, notification to third parties if they are generatingthe signals in the adjacent channels, and so forth.

Method 700 can also be utilized for monitoring and controlling otherparameters in the digital television system. For example, the emissionmask limits can be based on other operating standards, such as those ofCanada or Japan, or can be based on other system parameters as shown inthe table below:

TABLE 1 System Parameters Japan & (protection ratios) Canada USA EBUBrazil C/N for AWGN Channel +19.5 dB +15.19 dB +19.3 dB +19.2 dB (16.5dB) Co-Channel DTV into Analog TV +33.8 dB +34.44 dB +34~37 dB +38 dBCo-Channel Analog TV into DTV +7.2 dB +1.81 dB +4 dB +4 dB Co-ChannelDTV into DTV +19.5 dB +15.27 dB +19 dB +19 dB (16.5 dB) Lower AdjacentChannel DTV into Analog TV −16 dB −17.43 dB −5~−11 dB −6 dB UpperAdjacent Channel DTV into Analog TV −12 dB −11.95 dB −1~−10 −5 dB LowerAdjacent Channel Analog TV into DTV −48 dB −47.33 dB −34~−37 dB −35 dBUpper Adjacent Channel Analog TV into DTV −49 dB −48.71 dB −38~−36 dB−37 dB Lower Adjacent Channel DTV into DTV −27 dB −28 dB −30 dB −28 dBUpper Adjacent Channel DTV into DTV −27 dB −26 dB −30 dB −29 dB

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, the emissionmonitoring can be performed by devices located at the VHO's. In oneembodiment, a distributed system of emission monitors can be utilized,such as spectral measurements being compared to ensure accuracy and/orspectral measurements being designated among the monitors to speed upprocessing time. Method 700 can be employed with various types ofdigital television systems, including IPTV, direct broadcast satellite,and/or multichannel multipoint distribution service (e.g., wirelesscable). In another embodiment, method 700 can be adjusted to account forchanges to the RF broadcast spectrum, such as re-defining of theallocated channel spectrum.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative diagrammatic representation of a machinein the form of a computer system 900 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 900 may include a processor 902 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 904 and a static memory 906, which communicate with each othervia a bus 908. The computer system 900 may further include a videodisplay unit 910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system900 may include an input device 912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 914 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 916, a signal generationdevice 918 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 920.

The disk drive unit 916 may include a computer-readable medium 922 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 924)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 924may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 904, the static memory 906, and/or within the processor 902during execution thereof by the computer system 900. The main memory 904and the processor 902 also may constitute computer-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 924, or that which receives and executes instructions 924from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 926 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 926 using the instructions 924. Theinstructions 924 may further be transmitted or received over a network926 via the network interface device 920.

While the computer-readable medium 922 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “computer-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium, comprising executable instructions which when executed by aprocessor cause the processor to perform operations comprising:monitoring a channel power of a target channel of a digital terrestrialtelevision system, the target channel having an upper frequency and alower frequency; monitoring band edge emissions for first and secondchannels, the first channel being an upper adjacent channel to thetarget channel and having a first band edge at the upper frequency, thesecond channel being a lower adjacent channel to the target channel andhaving a second band edge at the lower frequency; measuring a deltabetween the channel power and the band edge emissions, the deltarepresenting a power quantity; determining an emission mask based on thedelta, wherein the emission mask has a first limit within 0.5 MHz of thefirst band edge and a second limit within 0.5 MHz of the second bandedge; detecting interference between the target channel and an adjacentchannel based on the emission mask; and presenting an alarm based on thedetected interference.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 1, wherein the target channel uses 8-level vestigialsideband modulation.
 3. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 1, wherein monitoring the band edge emissions isperformed using a single sweep measurement.
 4. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 3, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: monitoring activity associated with the first channelor the second channel; and performing the single sweep measurementduring a time period that is selected based on the activity.
 5. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 3, wherein theoperations further comprise performing the single sweep measurementduring rise and fall times of the first and second channels.
 6. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein thetarget channel uses one of coded orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing modulation, enhanced vestigial sideband modulation,advanced vestigial sideband modulation, or mobile-pedestrian-handheldmodulation.
 7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise obtaining a noiseamplitude, a peak signal amplitude and a frequency of the targetchannel.
 8. A server comprising: a memory to store instructions; and acontroller coupled to the memory, wherein executing the instructionscauses the controller to perform operations comprising: performing asingle sweep measurement for spectral characteristics of a targetchannel, a first channel and a second channel, thereby generatingmeasured characteristics, the target channel being of a digitalterrestrial television system and having an upper frequency and a lowerfrequency, the first channel being an upper adjacent channel to thetarget channel and having a first band edge at the upper frequency, thesecond channel being a lower adjacent channel to the target channel andhaving a second band edge at the lower frequency; determining anemission mask based at least in part on the measured characteristics,wherein the emission mask is based on a measured delta between a bandedge emission of an adjacent channel and a channel power of the targetchannel, the delta representing a power quantity, wherein the emissionmask has a first limit within 0.5 MHz of the first band edge and asecond limit within 0.5 MHz of the second band edge; and detectinginterference between the target channel and the adjacent channel basedat least in part on the emission mask.
 9. The server of claim 8, whereinthe operations further comprise presenting an alarm based on thedetected interference.
 10. The server of claim 8, wherein the spectralcharacteristics comprise the channel power of the target channel andband edge emissions for the first and second channels, and wherein theoperations further comprise measuring a delta between the channel powerand the band edge emissions to generate the measured delta.
 11. Theserver of claim 10, wherein the spectral characteristics furthercomprise a noise amplitude, a peak signal amplitude and a frequency ofthe target channel.
 12. The server of claim 8, wherein the operationsfurther comprise monitoring activity associated with the adjacentchannel, and wherein performing the single sweep measurement comprisesperforming the single sweep measurement during a time period that isselected based on the monitored activity.
 13. The server of claim 8,wherein performing the single sweep measurement comprises performing thesingle sweep measurement during rise and fall times of the first andsecond channels.
 14. The server of claim 13, wherein the target channeluses one of 8-level vestigial sideband modulation, coded orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing modulation, enhanced vestigial sidebandmodulation, advanced vestigial sideband modulation, ormobile-pedestrian-handheld modulation.
 15. A server comprising: a memoryto store instructions; and a controller coupled to the memory, whereinexecution of the instructions causes the controller to performoperations comprising: monitoring spectral characteristics of a targetchannel, a first channel and a second channel, the target channel beingof a digital terrestrial television system and having an upper frequencyand a lower frequency, the first channel being an upper adjacent channelto the target channel and having a first band edge at the upperfrequency, the second channel being a lower adjacent channel to thetarget channel and having a second band edge at the lower frequency;generating an emission mask based on the monitored spectralcharacteristics, wherein the emission mask has a first limit within 0.5MHz of the first band edge and a second limit within 0.5 MHz of thesecond band edge; and detecting interference between the target channeland an adjacent channel based at least in part on the emission mask,wherein the emission mask is based on a measured delta between a bandedge emission of the adjacent channel and a channel power of the targetchannel, the delta representing a power quantity.
 16. The server ofclaim 15, wherein the operations further comprise presenting an alarmbased on the detected interference.
 17. The server of claim 15, whereinthe spectral characteristics comprise the channel power of the targetchannel and band edge emissions for the first and second channels, andwherein the operations further comprise measuring a delta between thechannel power of the target channel and the band edge emissions of theadjacent channel to generate the measured delta.
 18. The server of claim15, wherein the spectral characteristics are obtained using a singlesweep measurement, and wherein the operations further comprise:monitoring activity associated with the first channel or the secondchannel; and performing the single sweep measurement during a timeperiod that is selected based on the monitored activity.
 19. The serverof claim 15, wherein the spectral characteristics are obtained using asingle sweep measurement, and wherein the operations further compriseperforming the single sweep measurement during rise and fall times ofthe first and second channels.
 20. A set top box comprising: a memory tostore instructions; and a controller coupled to the memory, whereinexecution of the instructions causes the controller to performoperations comprising: receiving a target channel from a digitalterrestrial television system, the target channel having an upperfrequency and a lower frequency; and detecting interference between thetarget channel and an adjacent channel, the detected interference beingbased at least in part on an emission mask which is based on monitoredspectral characteristics of the target channel, an upper adjacentchannel to the target channel and a lower adjacent channel to the targetchannel, the upper adjacent channel having a first band edge at theupper frequency and the lower adjacent channel having a second band edgeat the lower frequency, wherein the emission mask has a first limitwithin 0.5 MHz of the first band edge and a second limit within 0.5 MHzof the second band edge, the monitored spectral characteristics beingacquired using a single sweep measurement and the emission mask beingbased on a measured delta between a band edge emission of the adjacentchannel and a measured power of the target channel, the deltarepresenting a power quantity.
 21. A method, comprising: monitoringspectral characteristics of a target channel having an upper frequencyand a lower frequency, a first channel and a second channel, the firstchannel being an upper adjacent channel to the target channel and havinga first band edge at the upper frequency, the second channel being alower adjacent channel to the target channel and having a second bandedge at the lower frequency; generating an emission mask based on themonitored spectral characteristics, wherein the emission mask is basedon a measured delta between a band edge emission of an adjacent channeland a measured channel power of the target channel, the deltarepresenting a power quantity, and wherein the emission mask has a firstlimit within 0.5 MHz of the first band edge and a second limit within0.5 MHz of the second band edge; and detecting interference between thetarget channel and the adjacent channel based at least in part on theemission mask.
 22. The method of claim 21, comprising presenting analarm based on the detected interference.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the spectral characteristics comprise the measured channel powerof the target channel and band edge emissions for the first and secondchannels.
 24. The method of claim 23, comprising measuring a deltabetween the channel power of the target channel and the band edgeemissions of the adjacent channel to generate the measured delta, andwherein detecting the interference comprises detecting the interferencebased at least in part on the measured delta.
 25. The method of claim21, comprising performing a single sweep measurement during rise andfall times of the first and second channels to monitor the spectralcharacteristics.